2001 Mazda MPV LX from North America - Comments

2nd Apr 2009, 10:08

I am sorry to hear of your issues... must have got a lemon or perhaps a vehicle that was not treated well by the previous owner.

We bought our MPV new in 2001. Eight years and 110,000 miles later, van runs like a top. Other than routine maintenance, never a problem. We couldn't be happier with our MPV and plan on owning it for many years (and many miles) more.

19th Apr 2009, 19:38

We have a 2001 Mazda LX MPV. We loved it but at 134K I am about to sell it. I don't trust it anymore on long trips.

We have had similar gas pedal sticking and engine light coming on and off. We had the fuel injector cleaned out at 60K and 130K and that helped a great deal. We learned that if you use non Mazda spark plugs, it causes all sorts of problems. The spark plug wire shorted out several times as a result. We had the oxygen sensors changed when the computer told us to, but now I think we wasted money because it was the fuel injector service that was needed. I think the computer was wrong. Try that first at $130 and save yourself $500 for the 02 sensor.

We are buying a 2006 Honda Odyssey. Dealers offered us $500 to $1000 to buy our 2001 Mazda. I should have considered resale value.

9th May 2009, 13:35

Woe is me. I have 103K miles and starting missing. Now I'm told it's either a valve or piston. Overall, the car was pretty reliable for 8 yrs, not a lot of problems. Now I can't give away. They say the engine is a DOG. Not a happy camper.

29th Sep 2009, 11:25

19th Jan 2010, 15:10

Had a 2001 Mazda MPV from brand new - now with 130,000+ miles on it. Changed oil regularly, plugs and wires at about 75,000 miles.

Was having a "MISS" from time to time, and various shops put the computer on it with no solution. Took it to a small mechanic shop who literally PUT HIS HANDS on the head while the engine was hot and running and discovered a LOOSE SPARK PLUG! O.M.G. Later found a slight missing thing bothering me. Went back to the same guy who discovered little bits of rust on the outside on two of the spark plugs.

23rd Feb 2010, 17:16

I have a Mazda MPV with 110,000 miles, I heard a grinding when I try to start it. I was told it does not have a timing belt, so is it the starter??? I cannot get it started and it's stuck in the garage - afraid to move it. Help??

16th Mar 2010, 23:16

I have a 03 Mazda MPV. Had it for about 1 year. Out of all 4 cars I've owned, this one I believe is the worst. Since I purchased it, I've paid over 1100 bucks. Now the check engine light is blinking, and when turned on, the engine starts to shake and rattle. Also need to replace it once fixed. Getting rid of it and sticking with Hondas.

21st Apr 2010, 11:29

For all those who are considering to buy this minivan. Beware, the van may use a Ford engine. Someone mentioned the van has a Duratec engine, which is a Ford engine, it's unreliable. I suggest you sell the van and buy either a Mercury minivan (Nissan engine), Toyota Previa, Toyota Sienna, etc. Basically guy cars with actual Japanese engines.

22nd Apr 2010, 14:07

I'm more of a Japanese car fan myself, however, I'm going to come to Ford's defense on this one. I have owned Ford vehicles before, and while none of them were as reliable as the Japanese cars I've owned, I will admit that I never once had any sort of issue with their engines. Most of the problems were with the transmissions and electrical (so... much... electrical). The engines however were fine. Now I've also never owned a Ford past 100,000 miles (they just couldn't make it).

I think if Ford made the rest of the car like they made the engine, it might actually be an OK vehicle.

If you want a real unreliable engine along with all the issues that come with Fords, buy a GM.

28th Apr 2010, 02:30

I bought my first MPV, 1993 model in 2004. It took me, fully loaded from Houston to Jacksonville, Fl. at least 10 times both ways. Only died once, in Baton Rouge. Broken timing belt. Cost me $750.00.. of which $400 was for Mazda pulleys.

Other than that, it had a bad harmonic balancer a year later. Salvage yard replacement... about $200 incl. labor. Drove it until 2009, when the head gasket blew. Sold it for junk.

Bought another Mazda. A 2000 MPV for $2000.00. Oil pump failed. Replaced engine with a salvage 2001 used motor for $1500.00. No problems since.. except a check engine light, which is caused by a MAF sensor. Cost on Ebay... $50.00 or so. Can replace myself. Car is driving like a dream anyway. I love these vans.

17th May 2010, 13:32

OK, well I have a Mazda MPV van too (a 2001), and I found out what was wrong with the check engine light staying on and stuff. Well it was a piece that you can buy from Advance Auto Parts for $80.00, and I bet you it will fix your problems after you put it on yourself, because it is that easy to do; it is only 3 bolts that you have to take off and then put it back together. The part number for Advance Auto Parts is part number E260 coil or something, 10109 code maybe, but anyways I changed this and my AC started to run a lot better, and my check engine light went off and the fans started to work better, and my gas in my car started to last longer.

So when I say this can work for you, then it will, trust me... ps it fixed my van and now it is running so much better after Mazda told me it would cost me a lot of money to fix it. Thank god it didn't; just 80.00 dollars, that's all. Well here you go, I hope this will help all of you...